AHEAD OF THE PACK
With the start of conference action last week, Hawai‘i and Long Beach State will start the league season perfect at 1-0 after their first conference matches. The Rainbow Wahine defeated UC Irvine in a close 3-2 fashion while the 49ers defeated UC Davis, 8-4. There are four league matches on deck this week.
CHAMPIONSHIP REMATCH
In a rematch of the 2015 women’s water polo tournament championship, UC Irvine met Hawai‘i on the island in the first week of conference play. The No. 4 Rainbow Wahine were victorious and pulled off a narrow 3-2 victory over the No. 7 Anteaters. After just two losses in league over five seasons, the Anteaters will start the season 0-1 for the first time since 2010.
HAWAI‘I HOLDS OWN
Hawai‘i received a top 5 ranking for the fifth-consecutive week coming in at No 4. The No. 4 ranking is the highest for the Big West this season and this week marks the seventh week overall that the Rainbow Wahine have come in nationally at No. 4. Three teams in total have received a Top 5 ranking in 2016 (UCD, UCI, UH).